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In twin tests this autumn they had scored one (intercept) try, made one line break and conceded five touchdowns. The cracks in the side were turning into fault lines.

Thomas was the first Welshman to be capped 100 times for his country and also played for the Lions in 2005. However Gatland's selection duties for the Lions rather than Wales in recent weeks did not impress the former Welsh captain.

Right now he did not care how the Lions got on, his focus was on Wales' results in the autumn internationals then the Six Nations.

"My country Wales comes first to me," he added.

Thomas and Davies are among a clutch of former players and observers who have tried to make some sense of Wales' fall from their World Cup promise last season and their Grand Slam triumph this year.

Much of the consensus centres on the lack of quality rugby in the Six Nations, something which has become more apparent as the All Blacks, Springboks, Wallabies, Pumas and Samoa tour here.

Assistant coach Rob Howley had worked hard but there was a lack of snarl and snap around the Welsh squad.

"If we don't play well we won't beat teams simple as that," Davies said.